BORDER ACT targets two protected areas in the Municipality of Smolyan, Bulgaria and the Municipality of Vistonida, Greece, respectively protected area «Soskuchanski Dol», buffer zone to the «Soskovcheto» Reserve and the Lake Vistonida, NATURA zone. Both areas bear high environmental value being habitats to a large number of flora and fauna species. Both municipalities have identified their needs and assessed the potential and have set as one of the priorities in their local development strategies of the protection and wise use of natural resources as a tool for local development. Hence the overall objective of this proposal is to contribute to the sustainable development and increase quality of life in the cross-border area through improving the infrastructure, strengtheningthe attractiveness and promotion of the natural resources of the two protected areas. Expected Results: i) Better conditions for management of both protected areas through the existence of the necessary infrastructure. ii) Enhancement of the eco-visitor's experience. iii) Provision of conditions for fewer disturbances of the protected species and the biodiversity as whole and safer conditions for the visitors of the protected areas. iv) Specialized information targeted at the wide public as a prerequisite for raising the awareness on the issues regarding biodiversity and protected areas. v) Raised awareness among the people on the efforts for the preservation of natural resources and biodiversity. vi) Promotion of Smolyan and Vistonida as ecotourism destinations. vii) Developed stable cross-border cooperation to contribute to the sustainable development of the two border areas.